Kit for assembling for example a piece of furniture a partition or toys from panels and strips

ABSTRACT

A kit for assembling for example a piece of furniture from panels and strips each, said strips forming at least two connected rectangular cross-sectional tube portions, each having main flanges, side flanges and a for the greater part open side, and the panel edges are so formed that they can engage with the strips. The existing part of the open sides consists of two facing hook flanges, one long side of one tube portion is located in the median plane of the long side of the other tube portion and the length of the side flanges in cross-section does not exceed half the length of the main flanges.

United States Patent n91 Verholt [111 3,820,299 June 28, 1974 [75] Inventor: Johannes Maria Verholt, Ulft, Netherlands [73] Assignee: N.V. Meubelfabriek Deco,

Varsseveld, Netherlands [22] Filed: Mar. 8, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 232,708

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Mar. 18, 1971 Netherlands 7103640 [52] US. Cl 52/753 C, 52/753 D, 52/753 .1, 312/257 R [51] Int. Cl. F161) 5/06 [58] Field of Search 287/2092 C, 189.36 D, 287/2092 J; 52/285, 280; 312/257 A, 257 R, 263, 264

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,147,667 2/1939 Patterson 52/285 2,388,297 11/1945 Slaughter 287/189.36 D

2,416,371 2/1947 Bockius 312/257 R 2,578,644 12/1951 Mautner 287/189.36 D 3,103,374 9/1963 Portnoy 287/54 B 3,284,152 l1/l966 Schorghuber.... 312/257 R 3,380,768 4/1968 Wolfensbergen. 52/280 3,429,631 2/1969 Neyroud 312/264 3,528,559 9/1970 Miller 52/285 3,565,503 2/1971 Aschinger..... 312/263 3,603,054 9/1971 Didry 52/280 Primary ExaminerReinaldo P. Machado Attorney, Agent, or FirmBrady, OBoyle & Gates [5 7] ABSTRACT A kit for assembling for example a piece of furniture from panels and strips each, said strips forming at least two connected rectangular cross-sectional tube portions, each having main flanges, side flanges and a for the greater part open side, and the panel edges are so formed that they can engage with the strips. The existing part of the open sides consists of two facing hook flanges, one long side of one tube portion is located in the median plane of the long side of the other tube portion and the length of the side flanges in crosssection does not exceed half the length of the main flanges.

7 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures PAIENTEH .lllll 28 I974 sum 3 OF 3 KIT FOR ASSEMBLING FOR EXAMPLE A PIECE OF FURNITURE, A PARTITION OR TOYS FROM PANELS AND STRIPS The invention relates to a kit for assembling a piece of furniture, a partition, a store rack, toys and the like from panels and strips forming a complement with the panel edges, said strips forming in cross-section rectangular tubes with mutually perpendicular main flanges and side flanges which are normal to the main flanges, the arrangement being such that the main flanges together with the side flanges form at least two tubes, each having a leg which is for the greater part open, which open sides are normal to each other.

British patent No. 1,08l,423 describes combinations of such strips and panels. The object of the invention is to provide a kit offering a greater range of applications than can be achieved with said prior parts, while the possibilities of wrong assembly are reduced to a minimum.

To this end a kit of the type defined in the introductory part is characterized in that the existing part of the open sides consists of two hook flanges facing one another, one long side of one tube is located in the median plane of the long side of the other tube, and the length of the side flanges of the tubes, seen in crosssection, does not exceed half the length of the main flanges.

Movement in longitudinal direction of an assembly composed of such parts is effectively and suitably prevented by means of a covering strip belonging to the kit, which can be assembled perpendicular to said lon gitudinal direction, said covering strip forming a single tube which is rectangular in cross-section, one side of which is also almost completely lacking. Seen in crosssection the length of the side flanges of the tube does not exceed half the length of the main flanges. In a strip corresponding with one of the above strips, one or more side flanges can be provided with an auxiliary flange on the sides opposite the hook flanges. In said auxiliary flange one or more openings may be present, eacht adapted to receive a support.

In an elaboration of the invention the kit may also comprise a filler strip fitting in a rectangular tube of a strip. If a certain rectangular tube of a strip is not used, for example in view of a future extension of the piece of furniture, the tube can temporarily be filled with such a strip, as a result of which an attractive appearance is formed.

The invention will now be elucidated in more detail with reference to the drawings showing an embodiment of the kit and the strips that can be used.

FIGS. 1-8 each show in cross-section a differentembodiment of a strip applicable in a kit with inserted panels, with the use positions illustrated when the views are rotated clockwise 90;

FIGS. 9-11 each show in cross-section an embodiment of a covering strip applicable in a kit, with the use positions illustrated when the views are rotated clockwise 90;

FIGS. 12 and 13 each show in cross-section an embodiment of a door strip applicable in a kit, with the use positions illustrated when the views are rotated clockwise 90;

FIGS. 14-16 show the way of assembling a cupboard from parts of the kit according to the invention and FIG. 17 shows a detail XVII of FIG. 16.

All strips shown in FIGS. 1-8 are composed of a combination of main flanges 1, side flanges 2 and dimensional equal hook flanges 3. It is observed that two interconnected and aligned side flanges are considered to be one main flange (see for example FIG. 3). In these strips each time one main flange 1 and two side flanges 2 are located on contiguous sides of a rectangle, two hook flanges 2 extend on the fourth side of the rectangle. The main and side flanges 1 and 2 form together with the hook flanges 3 a cross-sectional rectangular insert tube, one side of which is almost completely lacking and therefore is almost completely open. In FIGS. 1, 5, 6 and 8 the strips each time consist of a combination of two of such sleeves in FIGS. 2, 3 and 7 each time of a combination of three of such sleeves, and FIG. 4 of a combination of four of such sleeves. Said sleeves permit the insertion of the edges of panels 4, which are to this end provided with two slots 5 sawn therein, the dimension of which are adapted to those of the hook flanges 3. The thickness of the panels 4 is slightly less than the inside dimension of said rectangular tubes, so that the panels can each time slide with a sliding fit from one end into a tube. Owing to the fact that all tubes have the same shape and dimensions and the panels are each time provided along all edges with two diametrically opposite slots 5 relative to the lower and upper face thereof, the strips and panels can engage in any given manner, with no possibility of errors in the position of the strip. This is in contrast to the prior kits composed of panels and strips, in which problems with respect to the panel length occur in case of an incorrect arrangement of certain strips.

In the connecting strips shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 one of the panels is supported not only by the above rectangular tube, but also by flange portions connected to the tube.

The connecting strips shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, which are visible from outside, are provided with one entirely closed tube in order to obtain one flat whole, the dimensions of which tube correspond with the above open rectangular tubes of FIGS. 1 and 2.

In order to prevent, in a cupboard or similar piece of fumitire composed of connecting strips and panels as described in the light of FIGS. 1-8, the parts from moving in longitudinal direction, thepiece of furniture is provided with a number of covering strips 6 as shown in FIG. 9, said strips consisting each time of a single rectangular tube, one side of which is almost entirely lacking or open. It is clear that said sliding movement is also prevented when the covering strip is replaced by one of the above connecting strips, while this also creates the possibility of further extension of said piece of furniture. The side flange 2 of the covering strip 6 shown in FIG. .10 has an auxiliary flange 7 on the side opposite the hook flange 3, while the covering strip shown in FIG. 11 has two such auxiliary flanges 7. The width of these auxiliary flanges may be equal to that of a side flange.

To provide the piece of furniture, the store rack or the like with additional panels, there may be provided openings in said auxiliary flanges (of which FIG. 11 shows the centre-lines) for mounting supports (not shown).

or FIG. 13. These strips are each provided with a fastening portion and a door slide portion formed by the flanges 9. The fastening portion consists again of a rectangular tube of which one side has almost entirely been omitted and which is composed of a main flange 1, two side flanges 2 and two hook flanges 3. The door strip 8 is formed by an extension of a side flange 2, while three auxiliary door slide flanges 9 are provided at regular intervals on the side of the side flange to form slide channels for sliding doors opposite the hook flange. If two directly superposed cupboard protions must each be provided with a sliding door, the panel between these two parts can be equipped with the strip shown in FIG 13.

FIGS. 14-16 show an example of a cupboard assembly, said cupboard being composed of the parts of a kit according to the invention, the connecting strips and cap strips each time being shown by a thicker line than the edges of the panels.

FIG. 14 shows preassembled sidewalls consisting of four panels 4 with in between connecting strips 6 and two covering strips. For assembling support panels 10 between the two preassembled sidewalls (see FIG. a covering strip 6 is slid from the grooves adjacent the edges of each sidewall assembly, after which support panels 10 can be inserted in the connecting strips between the panels of the sidewalls 4 and the covering strips 6 can then be slid back into the grooves adjacent the edges of the sidewall assemblies.

To close the rear wall of the cupboard, it can be provided with a number of panels 11 (FIG. 16) of for example hardboard or plastics material.

For assembling the rear panels 11, the edges of the support panels 10, which edges are adjoining those of rear panels 11 in assembled condition, are provided with a covering strip 6, as shown in FIG. 11. The auxiliary flanges 7 may be provided on one side with an adhesive layer, so that the rear panels 11 can be assembled in a simple manner pressing them into place on the adhesive layer on flanges 7 to thus adhesively secure them to flanges 7 after removal of the peelable cover strips 12 (see FIG. 17) from the adhesive layer on flanges 7. I ,v

Between the panels 4 of the sidewalls (FIG. 14) there may be provided connecting strips as shown in FIG. 4, so that a future extension of the cupboard is facilitated. The temporary open tubes of such strips do decidedly not contribute to an attractive appearance of the cupboard. To avoid this drawback the tubes in question may be filled with a filler strip or a wooden strip, adapted as regards colour and material to the cupboard. This filler strip or wooden strip can of course also be constructed and used as a spacer; by means of this for example a support can be kept in its position when using connector strips such as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

It is observed that a great number of variations are possible within the framework of the inventive idea.

The above described embodiment each time mentions panels whose edges are provided with slots to engage with the strips. It is also possible, however, to mount caps or plugs on the end edges of the panels, which in mounted condition have an undercut. By producing these caps of somewhat resilient material it is possible to press the strip to be assembled on the edge instead of sliding. This may be important especially in the assembly of tall furniture.

I claim 1. A kit for assembling a piece of furniture, a partition, a store rack, toys and the like, comprising plural panels having opposite side faces and edge portions, a pair of opposed slots in said opposite side faces adjacent and parallel to at least two of said opposite edge portions of each panel, and plural connecting strips each forming a complement with the pair of opposed slots adjacent the edge portions of at least a pair of said panels disposed normal to each other, said connecting strips being substantially coextensive with the cooperating edge portions and being rectangular in crosssection and having main flanges and side flanges connected normal to said main flanges, said main flanges together with said side flanges form at least two mutually connected rectangular cross-section tube portions connected normal to each other in each rectangular connecting strip, said side flanges having a crosssectional length that does not exceed half the length of said main flanges, each rectangular tube portion having one side which is for the greater part open, the open side and main flange forming the long sides of each rectangular tube portion, the open sides of connected tube portions disposed normal to each other, the open side of each tube portion being the same length as the main flange of the rectangular tube portion and being partially closed by a pair of relatively short hook flanges facing each other and connected to the side flanges at right angles and rendering each tube portion substantially C-shaped in cross-section and of the same depth, an edge portion of a different one of said plural panels adapted to be engaged in each C-shaped crosssection tube portion, said pair of slots adjacent the panel edge portion adapted to be engaged by said pair of book flanges and having a depth of substantially the length of said relatively short hook flanges, and one of said rectangular cross-section tube portions having one long side thereof located in the median plane of the main flange of the other of said rectangular crosssection tube portion, whereby the edge portion of each of said plural panels is adapted for engagement by any C-shaped cross-section tube portion of any of said plural connecting strips and the edges of said panels overlie and support each other relieving said connecting strips of stresses.

2. A kit according to claim 1, including another pair of opposed slots in said opposite side faces adjacent one edge portion of each panel disposed normal to the first-mentioned edge portions, a covering strip consisting of a rectangular cross-section tube having a pair of short side portions and a pair of long side portions, one long side portion thereof substantially open rendering said covering strip substantially C-shaped, said open side partially closed by a pair of relatively short hook flanges facing each other and connected to said short side portions, said short side portions having a length that does not exceed half the length of one long side portion of said covering strip, and the pair of short hook flanges of said covering strip adapted to engage the said another pair of opposed slots in the panel disposed normal to the pair of opposed slots on the panel engaged by said connecting strip.

3. A kit as set forth in claim 2, including one or more auxiliary flanges connected normal to said short side portions of said covering strip.

4. A kit according to claim 3, in which each auxiliary flange is connected on the side of the short side portion opposite the corresponding hook flange of the pair of said hook flanges.

5. A kit according to claim 4, in which each auxiliary flange is provided with one or more openings theresharing the main flange thereof, and said further C- shaped cross-section tube portion having an open side the same length as the shared main flange and connected to open in the opposite direction from the open side of the rectangular tube portion whose main flange is shared 7. A kit as set forth in claim 6, including a filler strip of rectangular cross-section having a pair of opposed grooves along one longitudinal edge thereof and having a depth substantially the length of said side flanges and adapted to be engaged in one of said C-shaped cross section tube portions with the pair of hook flanges thereof engaged in the pair of opposed grooves. 

1. A kit for assembling a piece of furniture, a partition, a store rack, toys and the like, comprising plural panels having opposite side faces and edge portions, a pair of opposed slots in said opposite side faces adjacent and parallel to at least two of said opposite edge Portions of each panel, and plural connecting strips each forming a complement with the pair of opposed slots adjacent the edge portions of at least a pair of said panels disposed normal to each other, said connecting strips being substantially coextensive with the cooperating edge portions and being rectangular in cross-section and having main flanges and side flanges connected normal to said main flanges, said main flanges together with said side flanges form at least two mutually connected rectangular cross-section tube portions connected normal to each other in each rectangular connecting strip, said side flanges having a cross-sectional length that does not exceed half the length of said main flanges, each rectangular tube portion having one side which is for the greater part open, the open side and main flange forming the long sides of each rectangular tube portion, the open sides of connected tube portions disposed normal to each other, the open side of each tube portion being the same length as the main flange of the rectangular tube portion and being partially closed by a pair of relatively short hook flanges facing each other and connected to the side flanges at right angles and rendering each tube portion substantially C-shaped in cross-section and of the same depth, an edge portion of a different one of said plural panels adapted to be engaged in each C-shaped cross-section tube portion, said pair of slots adjacent the panel edge portion adapted to be engaged by said pair of hook flanges and having a depth of substantially the length of said relatively short hook flanges, and one of said rectangular cross-section tube portions having one long side thereof located in the median plane of the main flange of the other of said rectangular cross-section tube portion, whereby the edge portion of each of said plural panels is adapted for engagement by any C-shaped cross-section tube portion of any of said plural connecting strips and the edges of said panels overlie and support each other relieving said connecting strips of stresses.
 2. A kit according to claim 1, including another pair of opposed slots in said opposite side faces adjacent one edge portion of each panel disposed normal to the first-mentioned edge portions, a covering strip consisting of a rectangular cross-section tube having a pair of short side portions and a pair of long side portions, one long side portion thereof substantially open rendering said covering strip substantially C-shaped, said open side partially closed by a pair of relatively short hook flanges facing each other and connected to said short side portions, said short side portions having a length that does not exceed half the length of one long side portion of said covering strip, and the pair of short hook flanges of said covering strip adapted to engage the said another pair of opposed slots in the panel disposed normal to the pair of opposed slots on the panel engaged by said connecting strip.
 3. A kit as set forth in claim 2, including one or more auxiliary flanges connected normal to said short side portions of said covering strip.
 4. A kit according to claim 3, in which each auxiliary flange is connected on the side of the short side portion opposite the corresponding hook flange of the pair of said hook flanges.
 5. A kit according to claim 4, in which each auxiliary flange is provided with one or more openings therethrough, each adapted to receive a support.
 6. A kit as set forth in claim 7 in which said one long side of one of said rectangular tube portions that is located in the medial plane of the main flange of the other rectangular tube portion is the main flange thereof, and including a further rectangular tube portion of similar dimensioned C-shaped cross-section connected back-to-back with the rectangular tube portion that has its main flange in the medial plane of the main flange of the other rectangular tube portion and sharing the main flange thereof, and said further C-shaped cross-section tuBe portion having an open side the same length as the shared main flange and connected to open in the opposite direction from the open side of the rectangular tube portion whose main flange is shared.
 7. A kit as set forth in claim 6, including a filler strip of rectangular cross-section having a pair of opposed grooves along one longitudinal edge thereof and having a depth substantially the length of said side flanges and adapted to be engaged in one of said C-shaped cross-section tube portions with the pair of hook flanges thereof engaged in the pair of opposed grooves. 